Disk-like Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT

A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/184,895, filed Aug. 1, 2008, which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/641,514, published as U.S. 2007/0149649, filed Dec. 19, 2006, which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/751,602, filed Dec. 19, 2005. Each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is generally related to polymer nanoparticles. More particularly, the present disclosure provides polymer nanoparticles comprising tri-block copolymer chains that form a particular formation or shape.

Over the past several years, polymer nanoparticles have attracted increased attention not only in the technical fields such as catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, protein supports, magnets, and photonics, but also in the manufacture of rubbery products such as tires. For example, nanoparticles can modify rubbers by uniformly dispersing throughout a host rubber composition as discrete particles. The physical properties of rubber such as moldability and tenacity can often be improved through such modifications. Moreover, some polymeric nanoparticles may serve as a reinforcement material for rubber. For example, polymer nano-strings are capable of dispersing evenly throughout a rubber composition, while maintaining a degree of entanglement between the individual nano-strings, leading to improved reinforcement over traditional reinforcing fillers.

However, an indiscriminate addition of nanoparticles to rubber may cause degradation of the matrix rubber material. Rather, very careful control and selection of nanoparticles having suitable architecture, size, shape, material composition, and surface chemistry, etc., are needed to improve the rubber matrix characteristics. For example, properties of polymeric nanoparticles made from diblock copolymer chains are controlled by the thermodynamics of diblock copolymers in a selected solvent. The thermodynamic phase diagram of those systems usually depends on two factors, the volume fractions of the components (φ_(i), i=1, 2, 3 . . . ) and the miscibility between them (χ_(ij)N_(i) parameter between components). Therefore, for a given system, i.e., when the φ_(ij)N_(i) parameters between components are fixed, the formation of micelle structures depends primarily on the volume fraction of each component (φ_(i), i=1, 2, 3 . . . ). In order to obtain a micelle nanoparticle of desired structure, the concentration or the volume fraction must be controlled. Flexibility of concentration adjustment is usually small due to the underlying thermodynamic laws and the phase diagrams. As such, it cannot provide high flexibility in concentration variations. This could raise unwelcome constraints in industrial processes.

Advantageously, the present disclosure provides a disk-like nanoparticle including a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise a vinyl aromatic monomer and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises a conjugated diene monomer units and comprises the top and bottom axial surfaces of the disk-like nanoparticle. The weight ratio of the monomer comprising the first block and third block to the monomer comprising the second block is 1:1 to 100:1.

A rubber composition comprising a rubber matrix and the disk-like nanoparticle disclosed above is also provided. A tire comprising the rubber composition is also described herein.

A method for making a disk-like nanoparticle in a liquid hydrocarbon medium is also provided. The nanoparticle has a core layer and a shell layer, the shell layer comprises tri-block copolymer chains having a first block, a second block, and a third block. The method comprises the steps of: polymerizing conjugated diene monomers with a multi-functional lithiated amine containing initiator, wherein the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

wherein Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; copolymerizing vinyl aromatic monomers to form the first and third blocks, thereby producing the tri-block copolymer chains; assembling the tri-block copolymer chains in the liquid hydrocarbon medium to form micelle structures; and crosslinking a multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with the tri-block copolymer chains in the micelle structures to form a cross-linked core and to form polymer nanoparticles.

A disk-like nanoparticle produced from the method described above is also presented.

In another embodiment, a disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer comprising a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, and a shell layer comprising A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first block of the A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains includes a vinyl aromatic monomer and is crosslinked with the core. The second block includes a conjugated diene monomer, and the third block comprises the top and bottom axial surfaces of the disk-like nanoparticle. The disk-like nanoparticle further includes a residue of a multi-functional lithiated amine-containing initiator, wherein the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

wherein Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, divalent and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings appended hereto:

FIG. 1 illustrates two possible conformations of a tri-block copolymer chain in polymer nanoparticles;

FIG. 2 is a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) photograph of polymer nanoparticles with controlled architecture of a tree-like dendrite;

FIG. 3 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with controlled architecture of a nano-rope;

FIG. 4 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with controlled architecture of a nano-sphere with flower-like inner structure;

FIG. 5 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with architecture of sphere, chain, dumbbell and other irregular structures;

FIG. 6 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with architecture of short nano-ropes;

FIG. 7 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with architecture of short nano-sized branches;

FIG. 8 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with architecture of a short nano-sized branch;

FIG. 9 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with architecture of narrowly distributed nano-sized branches;

FIG. 10 is a TEM photograph of polymer nanoparticles with architecture of narrowly distributed nano-sized branches;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a disk-like nanoparticle comprising A-B-A tri-block copolymer chains;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a disk-like nanoparticle comprising A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains;

FIG. 13 is a TEM photograph of a collection of disk-like nanoparticles;

FIG. 14 is a second TEM photograph of the collection of disk-like nanoparticles;

FIG. 15 is a TEM photograph of a second collection of disk-like nanoparticles;

FIG. 16 is a second TEM photograph of the second collection of disk-like nanoparticles;

FIG. 17 is a TEM photograph of a third collection of disk-like nanoparticles; and

FIG. 18 is a TEM photograph of a fourth collection of disk-like nanoparticles with an illustration showing how the disk-like particles are overlapped.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood herein, that if a “range” or “group” is mentioned with respect to a particular characteristic of the present invention, for example, molecular weight, ratio, percentage, chemical group, and temperature etc., it relates to and explicitly incorporates herein each and every specific member and combination of sub-ranges or sub-groups therein whatsoever. Thus, any specified range or group is to be understood as a shorthand way of referring to each and every member of a range or group individually as well as each and every possible sub-range or sub-group encompassed therein; and similarly with respect to any sub-ranges or sub-groups therein. Furthermore, the terms “a” and “the,” as used herein mean “one or more.”

In an embodiment, non-spherical polymer nanoparticles are formed from tri-block copolymer chains of the following formula (I):

wherein A comprises a conjugated diene monomer; B comprises a vinyl aromatic monomer; a is an integer of from 1 to 100,000 and b₁≈b₂ and each of them is an integer of from 1 to 100,000, such as from 1 to 10,000.

By b₁≈b₂, it is intended that the value Δ calculated from the following equation ranges from 0 to 20%, such as from 0 to 10%, or from 0 to 5%.

For simplicity, the terms of “Block α”, “Block β”, and “Block γ” are hereinafter used to denote the three blocks of the tri-block copolymer respectively as shown below:

The tri-block copolymers and the polymer nanoparticles are formed through living anionic polymerization, although emulsion polymerization may also be contemplated. The method of synthesis can be a multi-stage anionic polymerization. Multi-stage anionic polymerizations have been conducted to prepare block-copolymers, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,125, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other relevant publications include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,437,050 and 6,875,818, and U.S. Patent Application 2005/0154117, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The nanoparticles are formed from tri-block copolymer chains comprising Block α, Block β, and Block γ. Living blocks such as blocks α and blocks γ may be crosslinked with a multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon to form the desired polymer nanoparticles. The polymer nanoparticles may retain their discrete nature with little or no polymerization between each other. The nanoparticles can be substantially monodisperse and uniform in shape.

According to one embodiment, a tri-block copolymer is formed of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer and conjugated diene monomer in a hydrocarbon medium. The liquid hydrocarbon medium functions as the dispersion solvent, and may be selected from any suitable aliphatic hydrocarbons, alicyclic hydrocarbons, or mixture thereof, with a proviso that it exists in liquid state during the nanoparticles' formation procedure. Exemplary aliphatic hydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, pentane, isopentane, 2,2 dimethyl-butane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane, decane, and the like. Exemplary alicyclic hydrocarbons include, but are not limited to, cyclopentane, methyl cyclopentane, cyclohexane, methyl cyclopentane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane, cyclononane, cyclodecane, and the like. These hydrocarbons may be used individually or in combination. In one embodiment, the liquid hydrocarbon medium is hexane.

In one embodiment, the polymerization of monomers into the tri-block copolymer is initiated via addition of divalent anionic initiators that are known in the art as useful in the copolymerization of diene monomers and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons. Such initiators can be selected from organic compounds comprising two lithium groups as represented by the formula as shown below:

Li—R—Li

wherein R is a hydrocarbon group having 2 valences. R generally contains 4 to 30 carbon atoms per R group.

In a variety of exemplary embodiments, a bi-functional anionic initiator may have a general formula (L) as shown below:

in which R₁ is hydrogen or methyl; and R₂ includes aliphatic radicals and cycloaliphatic radicals, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, alkenyl, as well as aryl and alkylaryl radicals. Specific examples of R₂ groups include, but are not limited to, alkyls such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, sec-butyl, n-amyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, and the like; cycloalkyls and alkylcycloalkyl such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 2,2,1-bicycloheptyl, methylcyclopentyl, dimethylcyclopentyl, ethylcyclopentyl, methylcyclohexyl, dimethylcyclohexyl, ethylcyclohexyl, isopropylcyclohexyl, 4-butylcyclohexyl, and the like; cycloalkylalkyls such as cyclopentyl-methyl, cyclohexyl-ethyl, cyclopentyl-ethyl, methyl-cyclopentylethyl, 4-cyclohexylbutyl, and the like; alkenyls such as vinyl, propenyl, and the like; arylalkyls such as 4-phenylbutyl; aryls and alkylaryls such as phenyl, naphthyl, 4-butylphenyl, p-tolyl, and the like.

For example, R₁ and R₂ in formula (L) can be methyl and sec-butyl respectively; and the bifunctional anionic initiator has the formula (L-1) as shown below:

The formula (L-1) bi-functional anionic initiator may be prepared, for example, according to the following reaction:

Other bifunctional anionic initiators include, but are not limited to, 1,4-dilithiobutane, 1,5-dilithiopetane, 1,10-dilithiodecane, 1,20-dilithioeicosane, 1,4-dilithiobenzene, 1,4-dilithionaphthalene, 1,10-dilithioanthracene, 1,2-dilithio-1,2-diphenylethane, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The bifunctional anionic initiator may be used singly, or may be combined with additional bifunctional anionic initiators to initiate the polymerization of conjugated diene monomers A into Block β. It should be understood that typically the bifunctional anionic initiator residue is present in approximately the central region of Block β. For example, an exemplary living block β may be represented as shown below:

Any suitable conjugated diene or mixture thereof may be used as monomer A and be polymerized into Block β via the bifunctional anionic initiator. For example, the conjugated diene may be selected from conjugated 1,3-diene monomer represented by the formula (II) as shown below:

in which R₅, R₆, R₇, and R₈ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl.

Specific examples of the conjugated diene monomers A include, but are not limited to, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene), cis- and trans-piperylene (1,3-pentadiene), 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene, cis- and trans-1,3-hexadiene, cis- and trans-2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, cis- and trans-3-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 4-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene, and the like, and the mixture thereof. In certain embodiments, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, or combination thereof are used as the conjugated diene monomer A.

The polymerization of conjugated diene monomers A into Block β may last as long as necessary until the reaction is completed and a desired degree of polymerization, i.e. “a” in Formula (I), is obtained. The polymerization reaction of this step may last typically from 0.1 hours to 10 hours, such as from 0.2 hours to 8 hours, or from 0.2 hours to 4 hours. In exemplified embodiments, the polymerization reactions of this step lasted 1.5 hours.

The anionic polymerization to form Block β may be conducted in the presence of a modifier or a 1,2-microstructure controlling agent, so as to, for example, increase the reaction rate, equalize the reactivity ratio of monomers, and/or control the 1,2-microstructure in the conjugated diene monomers A. Suitable modifiers include, but are not limited to, triethylamine, tri-n-butylamine, hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, triethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-diazabicyclo [2.2.2]octane, diethyl ether, tri-n-butylphosphine, p-dioxane, 1,2 dimethoxy ethane, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, ethyl propyl ether, di-n-propyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, anisole, dibenzyl ether, diphenyl ether, dimethylethylamine, bix-oxalanyl propane, tri-n-propyl amine, trimethyl amine, triethyl amine, N,N-dimethyl aniline, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methyl-N-ethyl aniline, N-methylmorpholine, tetramethylenediamine, oligomeric oxolanyl propanes (OOPs), 2,2-bis-(4-methyl dioxane), bistetrahydrofuryl propane, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the anionic polymerization to form Block β can be conducted in the presence of an amine compound such as triethyl amine, trimethyl amine, tripropyl amine, tri-isopropyl amine, tri-n-butyl amine, and the like, and the mixtures thereof.

Other modifiers or 1,2-microstructure controlling agents used may be linear oxolanyl oligomers represented by the structural formula (IV) and cyclic oligomers represented by the structural formula (V), as shown below:

wherein R₁₄ and R₁₅ are independently hydrogen or a C₁-C₈ alkyl group; R₁₆, R₁₇, R₁₈, and R₁₉ are independently hydrogen or a C₁-C₆ alkyl group; y is an integer of 1 to 5 inclusive, and z is an integer of 3 to 5 inclusive.

Specific examples of modifiers or 1,2-microstructure controlling agents include, but are not limited to, oligomeric oxolanyl propanes (OOPs); 2,2-bis-(4-methyl dioxane); bis(2-oxolanyl)methane; 1,1-bis(2-oxolanyl)ethane; bistetrahydrofuryl propane; 2,2-bis(2-oxolanyl)propane; 2,2-bis(5-methyl-2-oxolanyl)propane; 2,2-bis-(3,4,5-trimethyl-2-oxolanyl)propane; 2,5-bis(2-oxolanyl-2-propyl)oxolane; octamethylperhydrocyclotetrafurfurylene (cyclic tetramer); 2,2-bis(2-oxolanyl)butane; and the like. A mixture of two or more modifiers or 1,2-microstructure controlling agents may also be used.

The vinyl aromatic monomers B include, but are not limited to styrene, α-methyl-styrene, 1-vinyl naphthalene, 2-vinyl naphthalene, vinyl toluene, methoxystyrene, t-butoxystyrene, and the like; as well as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, and aralkyl derivatives thereof, in which the total number of carbon atoms in the monomer is generally not greater than 18; and mixtures thereof. In exemplified embodiments, the vinyl aromatic monomer B comprises styrene.

Copolymerizing vinyl aromatic monomers B with the living block β starts at both living ends of Block β. Block α and Block γ may thus be formed in two directions, obtaining a tri-block copolymer comprising Block α, Block β, and Block γ, as shown in Formula (I).

Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that Block β is more soluble or miscible in a selected liquid hydrocarbon medium than Blocks α and γ, facilitating the subsequent micelle-like assembling and nanoparticle formation from the tri-block copolymer chains comprising Block α, Block β, and Block γ.

Depending on their miscibility, polymer chains in solution or suspension system can be self-assembled into domains of various structures. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that a micelle-like structure may be formed by aggregating the tri-block copolymer chains comprising Block α, Block β, and Block γ. Blocks α and γ are typically directed toward the central region of the micelle and Blocks β are typically extended away from the center.

Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that a tri-block copolymer chain comprising Block α, Block β, and Block γ may exist in two conformations. With reference to FIG. 1, the first possible conformation may be called a “looped” conformation, in which the tri-block copolymer chain 001 is looped and Block α and Block γ are directed toward the central region 002 of a micelle and Block β is extended away from the central region 002. The second possible conformation may be called “extended” conformation, in which the tri-block copolymer chain 003 is extended and Block α and Block γ are directed toward two central regions (004 and 005) of two micelles; and Block β may function as a bridge between the two central regions. Without being bound to any theory, it is believed that a tri-block copolymer chain comprising Block α, Block β, and Block γ may be used to adjust the interactions between micelle-like structural domains. As such, the teachings of this disclosure can not only be used to selectively manipulate the interactions between formed micelles, but also take advantage of the self-assembly thermodynamics of copolymer chains in a selected solvent. For example, a tri-block copolymer chain may behave like a bridge between micelles, if Block β is sufficiently long. Thus, the formation of randomly linked tree-like micelles can be used for making nano-dendrites by adding a multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon such as divinyl benzene (DVB) to “freeze” the structure. Changing the size of the bridge can alter the physical forces between micelles. As a result, the change in physical forces can reconstruct the micelle structures, e.g., from two micelles to a cylinder, and then from several cylinders to a nano-sized chain or rope. If the bridge size is sufficiently small, the nano-assembly of polymer chains can change to spherical particles of flower-like inner structures. In a variety of exemplary embodiments, di-block polymers may optionally be combined and/or polymerized with the tri-block copolymer chains comprising Block cc, Block β, and Block γ, to effectively create assembling chains and build varieties of particle shapes. Such di-block copolymers may be comprised of a conjugated diene block and a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block. Suitable conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers are those identified above. In certain embodiments, the di-block copolymers include styrene-isoprene, styrene-butadiene or styrene-SBR di-block polymers. Non-spherical polymeric nanoparticles may be constructed not only based on the self-assembly thermodynamics of tri-block and optionally di-block copolymers in selected solvents, but also based on the selective manipulation of interactions between formed micelles.

Any suitable multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon or mixture thereof may be used to copolymerize with Blocks α and Blocks γ of the tri-block copolymers, and optionally the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block of the di-block copolymer, in the micelle structures, and crosslink them to form polymeric nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon has a higher affinity with the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks of the tri-block and di-block copolymers. As such, the multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon is able to migrate to the center of the micelle-like structures, and crosslink the center core of the micelle to form the polymer nanoparticles. Consequently, the non-spherical polymeric nanoparticles are formed from the micelle-like structures with a core made from multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, a shell made from the conjugated diene blocks, and a layer made from the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks, which lies between the core and the shell.

In certain embodiments, the tri-block copolymer chain(s) are in “extended” conformation, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and may function to connect two or more micelle-like structures. Therefore, Block β is called “bridge” in certain embodiments. Bridge size may be characterized by, for example, the value a in formula (I), molecular weight (Mw or Mn) of Block A, or length of Block β, among others.

The multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons can be represented by the formula below:

in which p is an integer and 2≦p≦6, such as 2 or 3, e.g. di-vinyl-benzene (DVB).

In certain embodiments, the divinyl benzene may be selected from any one of the following isomers or any combination thereof:

In copolymerizing multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons with the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks of the tri-block and optionally di-block copolymers in the micelle structures to form polymer nanoparticles, the copolymerization time for this step may last typically from 0.1 hours to 24 hours, such as from 0.1 hours to 10 hours, or from 0.4 hours to 8 hours.

The process of preparing the polymer nanoparticles may be conducted at a temperature of from −70° F. to 350° F., such as from 25° F. to 300° F., or from 100° F. to 200° F. In exemplified embodiments, a reactor was equipped with external jacket, which was heated to a temperature around 130° F.

The polymerization reactions used to prepare the polymer nanoparticles may be terminated with a terminating agent. Suitable terminating agents include, but are not limited to, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol; amines, MeSiCl₃, Me₂SiCl₂, Me₃SiCl, SnCl₄, MeSnCl₃, Me₂SnCl₂, Me₃SnCl, and etc. In certain embodiments, the terminating agent may optionally contain an antioxidant such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

In the following five sections, specific conditions for the preparation of nanoparticles with controlled architectures of tree-like dendrite, nano-rope, nano-sphere with flower-like inner structure, nano-branch, and nano-disks will be described in detail.

(I) Tree-Like Dendrite

In certain embodiments, the controlled architecture of the polymer nanoparticle is in the shape of tree-like dendrite. The term “tree-like” dendrite is meant to encompass structures comprising a both longer and shorter “branches”, similar to the structure of a tree. The mean diameter of the tree-like dendrite nanoparticle may be broadly within the range of from 5 nm to 100 microns, in another embodiment within the range of from 10 nm to 50 microns, and in a further embodiment within the range of from 100 nm to 5 microns

In preparing the tree-like dendrite nanoparticles, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(β)) of Block β may be controlled within the range of from 19.5K to 35K, and in another embodiment within the range of from 22K to 30K, and in another embodiment within the range of from 24K to 27K. In certain embodiments, Mn_(β)=25K.

In preparing the tree-like dendrites, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(α)) of Block α is approximately equal to the number average molecular weight (Mn_(γ)) of Block γ, i.e. Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ). In certain embodiments, Mn_(α) or Mn_(γ) may be controlled within the range of from 20K to 50K, in another embodiment within the range of from 25K to 45K, and in a further embodiment within the range of from 30K to 40K. In certain embodiments, Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ)=35K.

(II) Nano-Rope

In some embodiments, the controlled architecture of the polymer nanoparticle is in the shape of a nano-rope. The mean diameter of the nano-rope nanoparticle may be broadly within the range of from 1 nm to 200 nm, in another embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 100 nm, in a further embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 80 nm, and in yet another embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 50 nm. The length of the nano-rope may be broadly within the range of from 0.1 μm to 200 μm, in another embodiment within the range of from 0.5 μm to 50 μm, and in another embodiment within the range of from 1 μm to 10 μm.

In preparing the nano-ropes, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(β)) of Block β may be controlled within the range of from 11.5K to 19.5K, in another embodiment within the range of from 13K to 16K, and in a further embodiment within the range of from 13.5K to 15K. In certain embodiments, Mn_(β)14K. In preparing the nano-ropes, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(α)) of Block α is approximately equal to the number average molecular weight (Mn_(γ)) of Block γ, i.e. Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ). In a variety of exemplary embodiments, Mn_(α) or Mn_(γ) may be controlled within the range of from 20K to 50K, alternatively within the range of from 25K to 45K, and in another embodiment within the range of from 30K to 40K. In certain embodiments, Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ)≈35K.

(II) Nano-spheres with Flower-Like Inner Structure

In some embodiments, the controlled architecture of the polymer nanoparticle is in the shape of nano-spheres with flower-like inner structure. The mean diameter of the spheres may be broadly within the range of from 1 nm to 500 nm, in another embodiment within the range of from 1 nm to 200 nm, in another embodiment within the range of from 1 nm to 100 nm, and in yet another embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 80 nm.

In preparing the nano-spheres with flower-like inner structure the number average molecular weight (Mn_(α)) of Block β may be controlled within the range of from 5K to 11.5K, alternatively within the range of from 7K to 10K, and in another embodiment within the range of from 8K to 10K. In certain embodiments, Mn_(β)9K. In preparing the nano-spheres with flower-like inner structure, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(α)) of Block α is approximately equal to the number average molecular weight (Mn_(γ)) of Block γ, i.e. Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ). In certain embodiments, Mn_(α) or Mn_(γ) may be controlled within the range of from 20K to 50K, in another embodiment within the range of from 25K to 45K, and in another embodiment within the range of from 30K to 40K. In certain embodiments, Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ)≈35K.

(IV) Nano-Branch

In some embodiments, the controlled architecture of the polymer nanoparticle is in the shape of nano-branch. The mean diameter of the nano-branch may be broadly within the range of from 1 nm to 200 nm, in another embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 100 μm, in a further embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 80 micron, and in yet another embodiment within the range of from 5 nm to 50 micron.

In preparing the nano-branches, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(β)) of Block β may be controlled within the range of from 3K to 100K, in another embodiment within the range of from 3K to 50K, and in a further embodiment within the range of from 3K to 25K.

In preparing the nano-branches, the number average molecular weight (Mn_(α)) of Block α is approximately equal to the number average molecular weight (Mn_(γ)) of Block γ, i.e. Mn_(α)≈Mn_(γ). In a variety of exemplary embodiments, Mn_(α) or Mn_(γ) may be controlled within the range of from 10K to 100K, in another embodiment within the range of from 20K to 50K and in another embodiment within the range of from 20K to 30K.

When copolymerizing multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons with the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks of the tri-block and optionally di-block copolymers in the micelle structures to form polymer nano-branches, the weight concentration of the copolymers in the liquid hydrocarbon medium (M₁) may be broadly within the range of from 5 to 40000, such as within the range of from 5 to 30000, or within the range of from 5 to 20000.

When di-block copolymers are prepared simultaneously with the tri-block copolymers, the ratio of di-functional initiator to mono-functional initiator can range from 100:0 to 1:100, in another embodiment from 100:0 to 1:10, and in a further embodiment from 100:0 to 1:3.

(V) Disk-Like Nanoparticles

In another embodiment, the architecture of nanoparticles is controlled to be in the shape of a disk. In addition to the disk-like shape, which features a relatively constant thickness in each discrete nanoparticle, the disk-like nanoparticle architecture differs significantly from the above tree-like dendrite, nano-rope, flower-like nanospheres, and nano-branch architectures in that the tri-block copolymer chains do not substantially bridge in the manner described above, e.g. less than 10%, such as less than 5%, or less than 1% of the tri-block copolymers bridge. In contrast, the tree-like dendrite, nano-rope, flower-like nanospheres, and nano-branch architectures are constructed by the bridging action of tri-block polymers between multiple micelle cores, which thereafter form a uniform elongated core.

A theoretical illustration of an example A-B-A disk-like nanoparticle is shown in FIG. 11 and a theoretical illustration of an example A-B-C disk-like nanoparticle is shown in FIG. 12. While not intending to be bound by theory, the illustrated structures are believed to be accurate representation of disk-like nanoparticles, based on the TEM photographs in FIGS. 13-17 and other information. An imaginary axis 100 is shown running through the center of the disk-like nanoparticle. This axis 100 is shown only for the purposes of illustration. Discrete lines are used to illustrate the general shape and configuration of the core 105, shell 110, radial surface 115, and axial surfaces 120, 122; however, these lines are not meant to imply that the disk-like nanoparticle is a perfect geometric cylinder with a perfectly spherical core.

The example disk-like nanoparticle has a core layer 105 that is centered about the axis 100. The core 105 comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon. The core 105 also comprises the portion of the tri-block copolymer that is crosslinked with it.

The example disk-like nanoparticle also has a shell layer 110, which has a radial surface 115 at the outer radial edge and top and bottom axial surfaces 120, 122. The radial surface 115 and top and bottom axial surfaces 120, 122 are collectively outer surfaces. The shell layer 110 is comprised of substantially uncrosslinked tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first block 125, a second block 130, and a third block 135.

In FIG. 11, which depicts a disk-like nanoparticle with A-B-A tri-block copolymer chains, the first block 125 and third block 130 include vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core 105. A middle portion of the second block 130 includes conjugated diene monomer units a portion of which comprises the top and bottom axial surfaces 120, 122 of the disk-like nanoparticle. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the tri-block copolymer chains are loop-like brushes or arms radiating out from the core layer, wherein the first block begins the first end of the loop and the second block begins the other end of the loop.

In FIG. 12, which depicts a disk-like nanoparticle with A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the first block 125 includes vinyl aromatic monomer units and is crosslinked with the core 105. The second block 130 radiates from the first block 125 and is bonded to the third block 135. The outer portion of the third block 135 comprises the top and bottom axial surfaces 120, 122 of the disk-like nanoparticle. The second block 130 includes conjugated diene monomer units, and the third block includes conjugated diene monomer units and/or vinyl aromatic monomer units and/or vinyl-acrylate monomer units, and/or vinyl, N, or O-substituted aromatic monomer units. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the tri-block copolymer chains are hairy brushes or arms radiating out from the core layer.

In both example illustrations, the shell layer 110 is substantially not cross-linked. Substantially not crosslinked meaning that no more than 20%, such as 0-10% or 0-3%, of the radiating tri-block polymer arms are crosslinked. This feature provides improved interactive qualities with polymeric matrices, such as rubber.

The disk-like nanoparticle forms via micelle assembly, as is described above. The second block radiates to the outside radial edge because it is more soluble in the selected hydrocarbon solvent than the first and third blocks.

The radial diameter of the disk-like nanoparticle ranges from 10-10,000 nm, such as 20-200 nm, or 25-90 nm and the axial thickness ranges from 2-100 nm, such as 5-50 nm or 10-25 nm. The thickness is relatively constant across the entire radius, and typically is less than the radial diameter. The difference in thickness from the thickest to the thinnest area of the disk-like nanoparticle may be from 0 to 20%, such as from 0 to 10%, or from 0 to 5%.

The core of the disk-like nanoparticle is harder than the shell. That is, the core has a higher Tg than the shell. For example, the core may have a Tg of 50 to 200° C., such as 70 to 150° C., or 80 to 125° C.; and the shell may have a Tg of less than 50° C. such as −150° C. to 40° C., or −125° C. to 0° C.

In attempting to make the disk-like architecture it was unexpectedly discovered that two factors primarily controlled the formation of the nano-disk shape: (1) the use of a multi-functional lithiated amine containing initiator, as described below, for polymerizing the tri-block copolymer; and (2) controlling the weight ratio of the monomer comprising the first block and third block of the tri-block copolymer chains to the monomer comprising the second block is to be 100:1 to 1:1, such as from 20:1 to 2:1, 10:1 to 4:1, 9:1 to 2.3:1, or 7:1 to 2:1.

Regarding the multi-functional lithiated amine-containing initiator that is used for polymerizing the tri-block polymer of the disk-like nanoparticles, the initiator comprises a multifunctional lithiated amine having at least two lithiated amines in one molecule of the initiator. For example, the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

where Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, (e.g., methylene groups, O or S) and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

In one embodiment, 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine, a commercially available reagent from Aldrich was successfully metalated with n-BuLi (n-butyl lithium) and used for initiating the living polymerization of dienes and/or aromatic vinyls in hexane solution without any polar additives as shown in Scheme 1 below.

The advantages of this new difunctional initiator are: a) it is a mono-modal living system such that the polymer formed has a mono-modal molecular weight as characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC); b) an in-situ generation of the initiator; and c) the absence of polar additives. These advantages are especially useful for making head and tail di-functional polymers and SBS-tri-block copolymers with a low T_(g) polybutadiene unit in the middle of the tri-block.

In another embodiment, a series of polyamines similar to 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine (TMDP) can be used as di- or tri-N—Li initiators for anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene. Examples of the di- and tri-lithio amine initiators include (scheme 2), but are not limited to, dilithio N,N′-diethyl-1,3-propanediamine (Li-DEPDA-Li), dilithio N,N′-diisopropyl-1,3-propanediamine (Li-DPPDA-Li), dilithio N,N′-diethyl-2-butene-1,4-diamine (Li-DEBDA-Li), trilithio tris[2-(methylamino)ethyl]amine (Tri-Li-TMAEA), trilithio tris[2-(isopropylamino)ethyl]amine (Tri-Li-TPAEA), and trilithio-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane (Tri-Li-TACD).

The amount of initiator employed in the disk-like nanoparticle synthesis can vary from 0.1 to 100 mmol of initiator per 100 g of monomer, such as from 0.33 to 10, or 0.2 to 1.0 mmol of lithium per 100 g of monomer.

The second factor that is believed to affect the formation of the disk-like shape in the nanoparticle is the weight ratio of the monomer comprising the first block and third block of the tri-block copolymer chains to the monomer comprising the second block. For example, the weight of monomer in the first and third blocks of the monomer units compared to the weight of the monomer units in the second block may be 100:1 to 1:1, such as from 50:1 to 1:1, 20:1 to 2:1, 10:1 to 4:1, 9:1 to 2.3:1, or 7:1 to 2:1.

In the example disk-like nanoparticles, the tri-block copolymer chains are either A-B-A copolymers, such as a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon copolymer, or A-B-C copolymers. However, in other examples, a mixture of A-B-A and A-B-C copolymers may be employed. Furthermore, monoblock polymer may also be synthesized separately, added prior to cross-linking and thereby bonded to the core. In addition diblock copolymers may be incoporated as described supra.

In preparing the disk-like nanoparticles, the number average molecular weight (Mn₂) of the second block may be controlled within the range of from 3K to 1000K, such as within the range of from 3K to 200K, or within the range of from 3K to 50K.

In example disk-like nanoparticles that have A-B-A tri-block copolymer chains in the shell, the number average molecular weight (Mn₁) of the first block is approximately equal to the number average molecular weight (Mn₃) of the third block, i.e. Mn₁ Mn₃ (such as within 0-20% of being the same Mn, for example, 0-10%, or 0-5%).

When copolymerizing multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons with the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains, and optionally di-block copolymer chains in the micelle structures to form disk-like nanoparticles, the weight concentration of the copolymers in the liquid hydrocarbon medium (M₁) may be broadly within the range of from 0.01% to 20%, such as from 0.1% to 10%, or from 0.1% to 2%.

When di-block copolymers are prepared simultaneously with the tri-block copolymers, the ratio of di-functional initiator to mono-functional initiator can range from 100:0 to 1:100, such as 100:0 to 1:10, and in a further embodiment from 100:0 to 1:3. The same ratios can be used when monoblock polymer is added.

The disk-like nanoparticle is made by copolymerizing two or more monomer species with a multi-functional lithiated amine containing initiator, to form the second block to form tri-block copolymers, and then cross-linking to form a core. The multi-functional lithiated amine-containing initiator may be selected from the species described above.

To make the tri-block copolymers, the second block is polymerized first with the multi-functional lithiated initiator. The first and third blocks are then copolymerized with the second block to obtain the tri-block copolymer chains.

The first and third blocks comprise vinyl aromatic monomers. The vinyl aromatic monomer may be selected from the species disclosed above. Different monomer species may be selected if an A-B-C tri-block copolymer is desired. For example, the monomers for the third block may include conjugated diene monomer units and/or vinyl aromatic monomer units and/or vinyl-acrylate monomer units, and/or vinyl, N, or O-substituted aromatic monomer units.

The second block comprises a conjugated diene monomer. The conjugated diene monomer may be selected from the species disclosed above.

The polymerization is performed in a liquid hydrocarbon medium and micelle structures are formed therein. The second block should be selected to be more soluble in the hydrocarbon solvent than the first and third blocks, so that the second block will be on the outer surface of the micelle and the first and third blocks will be directed towards the center of the micelle. The hydrocarbon solvent may be selected from those disclosed above.

After copolymerization of the tri-block copolymers and assembly into micelle structures, in the case of A-B-A tri-block copolymer chains, multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons cross-link the first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymers in the micelle structures to form a cross-linked core. In the case of A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains only the first block may be crosslinked with the core. This cross-linked core stabilizes and holds the micelles together.

The multiple-vinyl-substituted monomer may be selected from the species disclosed above.

The disk-like nanoparticles can be included in rubber compositions as discussed below in detail. The shape of the disk-like nanoparticles is expected to provide an increase in viscosity and improved gas permeability in rubber compositions. This makes it an excellent potential additive for a tire rubber composition.

The non-spherical polymer nanoparticles may be widely utilized in the technical fields of rubbers, plastics, tire manufacture, medicine, catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, protein supports, magnets, photonics, electronics, cosmetics, and all other applications envisioned by the skilled artisan. For example, they can be used as processing aids and reinforcing fillers in rubber compounds.

In a variety of exemplary embodiments, rubber articles such as tires may be manufactured from a formulation comprising the polymer nanoparticles as described supra. References for this purpose may be made to, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,818.

In one embodiment, a rubber composition comprises (a) a rubber matrix; and (b) the non-spherical polymeric nanoparticles as described above. The typical amount of the polymeric nanoparticles in the rubber composition may broadly range from 1 phr to 150 phr, in another embodiment from 1 phr to 50 phr, in another embodiment from 1 phr to 20 phr, based on 100 parts per hundred parts rubber in thecomposition.

The terms “rubber” and “elastomer” if used herein, may be used interchangeably, unless otherwise prescribed. The terms such as “rubber composition”, “compounded rubber” and “rubber compound”, if used herein, are used interchangeably to refer to “rubber which has been blended or mixed with various ingredients and materials” and “rubber compounding” or “compounding” may be used to refer to the “mixing of such materials”. Such terms are well known to those having skill in the rubber mixing or rubber compounding art.

The rubber matrix may comprise any solution polymerizable or emulsion polymerizable elastomer, for example, diene homopolymers, and copolymers and terpolymers of conjugated diene monomers with vinyl aromatic monomers and trienes such as myrcene. Exemplary diene homopolymers are those prepared from diolefin monomers having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms. Exemplary vinyl aromatic polymers are those prepared from monomers having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of such monomers may be referred to the monomers for the nanoparticle formation as described supra. In one embodiment, the conjugated diene monomer and vinyl aromatic monomer are used at the weight ratios of from 1:99 to 99:1, in another embodiment the weight ratios are from 2:98 to 98:2. The copolymers are, for example, random copolymers which result from simultaneous copolymerization of the monomers with randomizing agents, as is known in the art.

The rubber matrix may comprise any conventionally employed treadstock rubber such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber and blends thereof. Such rubbers are well known to those skilled in the art and include synthetic polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene rubber, butadiene-isoprene rubber, polybutadiene, butyl rubber, neoprene, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), silicone rubber, the fluoroelastomers, ethylene acrylic rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), epichlorohydrin rubbers, chlorinated polyethylene rubbers, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubbers, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber, and the like, and the mixture thereof.

Rubber matrix used in tires, hoses, power transmission belts and other industrial products has good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black and silica. To attain improved interaction with fillers, the rubber matrix can be functionalized with various compounds, such as amines.

In one embodiment, carbon black can be used as a reinforcing filler in the rubber compounds of the present invention. The carbon black may be selected from any of the commonly available carbon blacks, but those having a surface area (EMSA) of at least 20 m²/g, such as at least 35 m²/g, or up to 200 m²/g or higher. Surface area values may be determined by ASTM D-1765 using the cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB) technique. Among the useful carbon blacks are furnace black, channel blacks and lamp blacks. More specifically, examples of useful carbon blacks include super abrasion furnace (SAF) blacks, high abrasion furnace (HAF) blacks, fast extrusion furnace (FEF) blacks, fine furnace (FF) blacks, intermediate super abrasion furnace (ISAF) blacks, semi-reinforcing furnace (SRF) blacks, medium processing channel blacks, hard processing channel blacks and conducting channel blacks. Other carbon blacks which can be utilized include acetylene blacks. A mixture of two or more of the above blacks may also be used. Exemplary carbon blacks include N-110, N-220, N-339, N-330, N-343, N-351, N-550, N-660, and the like, as designated by ASTM D-1765-82a. The carbon blacks utilized may be in pelletized form or an unpelletized flocculent mass. For more uniform mixing, unpelletized carbon black is used.

In certain embodiments, the amount of carbon black may broadly range from 10 phr to 150 phr, from 20 phr to 120 phr, and from 30 phr to 100 phr.

Silica may also be used as a filler in the rubber compounds described herein. Exemplary silica fillers include, but are not limited to, precipitated amorphous silica, wet silica (hydrated silicic acid), dry silica (anhydrous silicic acid), fumed silica, and precipitated amorphous wet-process, hydrated silicas. In one embodiment, the surface area of the silica filler is from 32 m²/g to 400 m²/g, in another embodiment the surface area is from 100 m²/g to 250 m²/g, and in another embodiment the surface area is from 150 m²/g to 220 m²/g. The pH of the silica filler is generally within the range of 5.5 to 7, and in another embodiment within the range of 5.5 to 6.8.

The silica filler may be selected from any of the commonly available silicas. Some of the commercially available silicas which can be used include, but are not limited to, Hi-Sil® 190, Hi-Sil®210, Hi-Sil®215, Hi-Sil® 233, Hi-Sil®243, and the like, produced by PPG Industries (Pittsburgh, Pa.). A number of useful commercial grades of different silicas are also available from Degussa Corporation (e.g., VN2, VN3), Rhone Poulenc (e.g., Zeosil® 1165 MP), and J.M. Huber Corporation.

To improve filler dispersion and reduce agglomeration and re-agglomeration of silica aggregates, a coupling agent may be used along with silica fillers. Typically, a silica coupling agent has at least two functional groups, one of which is reactive with the silica surface such as a silyl group, and another one can bind to the rubbery matrix such as mercapto, amino, vinyl, epoxy or sulfur group. Exemplary coupling agents include, but are not limited to, mercaptosilanes and organosilane polysulfides.

A silica dispersing aid such as monofunctional silica shielding agent may be used along with silica fillers. Examples of silica dispersing aids include silica hydrophobtaining agents that chemically react with the surface silanol groups on the silica particles but are not reactive with the matrix elastomer, and agents which physically shield the silanol groups to prevent reagglomeration (flocculation) of the silica particles after compounding. Specific examples of silica dispersing aid include alkyl alkoxysilanes, glycols (e.g., diethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol), fatty acid esters of hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated C₅ and C₆ sugars (e.g., sorbitan oleates, and the like), polyoxyethylene derivatives of the fatty acid esters, among others.

If used, silica may be present in the rubber compounds in an amount of from 10 phr to 150 phr, in another embodiment from 20 phr to 120 phr, and in a further embodiment from 30 phr to 100 phr.

In certain embodiments, a combination of silica and carbon black are utilized as reinforcing fillers in rubber compounds intended for use in various rubber products, including treads for tires.

Other fillers can also be utilized as processing aids which include, but are not limited to, mineral fillers, such as aluminum silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, clay (hydrous aluminum silicate), talc (hydrous magnesium silicate), and mica as well as non-mineral fillers such as urea and sodium sulfate.

Oil can be included in the rubber compounds as a processing aid. Examples of suitable oils include aromatic, naphthenic, paraffinic processing oils, as well as combinations of the same. In one embodiment, the amount of oil may range from 0 phr to 150 phr, in another embodiment from 10 phr to 120 phr, and in yet another embodiment from 15 phr to 70 phr.

A vulcanizing agent is used to cure the rubber compounds described herein. For a general disclosure of suitable vulcanizing agents, one can refer to Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3^(rd) ed., Wiley Interscience, N.Y. 1982, Vol. 20, pp. 365 to 468, particularly “Vulcanization Agents and Auxiliary Materials,” pp. 390 to 402. Vulcanizing agents can be used alone or in combination. In some embodiments, sulfur or peroxide-based vulcanizing agent may be employed. Examples of suitable sulfur vulcanizing agents include “rubber maker's” soluble sulfur; elemental sulfur (free sulfur); sulfur donating vulcanizing agents such as organosilane polysulfides, amine disulfides, polymeric polysulfides or sulfur olefin adducts; and insoluble polymeric sulfur. In one embodiment, the sulfur vulcanizing agent is soluble sulfur or a mixture of soluble and insoluble polymeric sulfur.

The amount of vulcanizing agent, may range from 0.1 phr to 10 phr, in another embodiment from 1 phr to 5 phr, and in another embodiment from 1 phr to 3 phr.

A vulcanization accelerator may be used along with a vulcanizing agent. The vulcanization accelerators are not particularly limited. Examples of vulcanization accelerators include thiazol vulcanization accelerators, such as 2-mercaptobenzothiazol, dibenzothiazyl disulfide, N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazyl-sulfenamide (CBS), N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazyl sulfenamide (TBBS), and the like; guanidine vulcanization accelerators, such as diphenylguanidine (DPG) and the like; amines; disulfides; thiurams; sulfenamides; dithiocarbamates; xanthates; and thioureas; among others.

The amount of vulcanization accelerator, if used, may range from 0.1 phr to 10 phr, in another embodiment from 0.1 phr to 5 phr, and in another embodiment 0.1 phr to 3 phr.

The composition may be compounded by methods generally known in the rubber compounding art, such as mixing the rubbery matrix polymer and the non-spherical nanoparticles with conventional amounts of commonly used additive materials such as, in addition to those identified above, for example, activators, retarders, other processing additives such as resins, and including tackifying resins, plasticizers, pigments, fatty acids, zinc oxide, waxes, antioxidants, anti-ozonants, and peptizing agents, using standard rubber mixing equipment and procedures.

A vulcanized rubber product may be produced by thermomechanically mixing rubbery matrix polymer, the nanoparticles, and various ingredients in a sequentially step-wise manner in a mixer, followed by shaping and curing the composition.

The composition described herein can be used for various purposes. For example, it can be used for various rubber compounds, such as a tire treadstock, sidewall stock or other tire component stock compounds. Such tires can be built, shaped, molded and cured by various methods which are known and will be readily apparent to those having skill in such art. In one embodiment, a molded unvulcanized tire is placed into a vulcanizing mold and then vulcanized to produce a tire.

The following examples are included to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention. The examples provided are merely representative of the work that contributes to the teaching of the present application. Accordingly, these examples are not intended to limit the invention, as defined in the appended claims, in any manner.

EXAMPLES

In Examples 1-3, a 2-gallon reactor equipped with external heating jacket and internal agitation was used for all materials preparation. Styrene in hexane (33 weight percent styrene), hexane, butyllithium (1.54 M) and BHT were used as supplied. Isoprene (100% pure) was stored on aluminum oxide beads and calcium hydride under nitrogen. Technical grade divinyl benzene (80%, mixture of isomers, purchased from Aldrich, item 41, 456-5) was stored on aluminum oxide beads and calcium hydride under nitrogen.

The di-lithium solution (˜0.5M) was made according to the following procedure. To a clean, dry, N₂ purged closed bottle is charged equimolar amounts of triethyl amine and butyllithium. Then 1,3-diisopropenyl benzene is added at a target molar ratio of 1.2 to the sec-butyllithium. The bottle is then heated with agitation for 2.0 hours at 50° C.

For the following examples, sec-BuLi (57.14 ml, 1.4 M in cyclohexane, purchased from Aldrich) was added to a solution of 1,3-diisopropenylbenzene (6.84 ml, 40 mmol) and triethylamine (11.15 ml, 80 mmol) via a syringe at room temperature. The solution was agitated and heated at 50° C. for 2 hours. The deep red Li diadduct (abbreviated as DiLi, 0.53 M) was used as the di-lithium initiator and stored in freezer until use.

Example 1

The reactor was charged with 4 lbs. hexane and 0.373 lbs. isoprene (IP). The jacket of the reactor was heated to 135° F. When the batch reached 135° F., 15 ml of 0.5 M di-lithium solution was added. After 2 hours, 1.5 lb. styrene/hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene) was added to the reactor which was maintained at 135° F. An exothermic peak was observed after 20 minutes. After 2 hours, 50 ml divinyl-benzene (DVB) was charged into the solution. The solution was allowed to react for an additional 2 hours, and then the reaction mixture was dropped into an isopropanol/acetone solution containing BHT (about 500 mL/2 L). The solid was then filtered through a cheese-cloth and dried in vacuum. The product could be dissolved in a number of solvents, such as THF, toluene, and hexane. Those solutions were usually thick and gel-like, indicating that the synthesized polymer might have supra-architectures.

GPC analysis of the intermediate product, based on a polystyrene/THF standard, indicates block copolymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 121K and a polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.17. The block copolymer was designed as a tri-block, in which the polystyrene block had a target Mn of 35K and the isoprene blocks had a target Mn of 25K. The TEM analysis was taken on a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄ and was then examined by TEM (see FIG. 1). It was found that the product synthesized contained tree-like dendrites composed of linked nano-spherical particles.

Example 2

In Example 2, the size of the isoprene block of the tri-block polymers was decreased from a target Mn of 25K to 14K. The reactor was charged with 4 lbs. hexane and 0.229 lbs. isoprene. The jacket of the reactor was heated to 135° F. When the batch reached 135° F., 15 ml of 0.5 M di-lithium solution was added. After 2 hours, 1.5 lbs. styrene/Hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene) was added to the reactor which was maintained at 135° F. An exothermic peak was observed after 20 minutes. After 1.5 hours, the color of the solution was yellow. 50 ml divnyl benzene (DVB) was then charged into the solution. After about 7 minutes, the agitation was stopped. The solution was allowed to react for an additional 1.5 hours; the reaction mixture was then dropped into an isopropanol/acetone solution containing BHT (about 500 mL/2 L). The solid was then filtered through a cheese-cloth and dried in vacuum.

GPC analysis of the intermediate product, based on a polystyrene/THF standard, indicated block copolymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 79, and a polydispersity (Mw/Mn) of 1.2. A TEM analysis of a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration was conducted. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄, and was then examined by TEM (see FIG. 2). The results showed that the product synthesized contained nano-rope structures.

Example 3

In Example 3, the size of the isoprene block of the tri-block polymers was further decreased from a target Mn of 14K to 9K, and the nano-assembly of polymer chains changed to spherical particles with flower-like inner structures. The reactor was charged with 2 lbs. hexane and 0.195 lbs. isoprene. The jacket of the reactor was heated to 135° F. When the batch reached 135° F., 15 ml of 0.5 M di-lithium solution were added. After 2 hours, 1.5 lb. styrene/Hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene) were added to the reactor which was maintained at 1350F. An exothermic peak was observed after 20 minutes. After 2 hours, the color of solution was orange. 50 ml divnyl benzene (DVB) was then charged into the solution. The solution was allowed to react for an additional 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was then dropped in an isopropanol/acetone solution containing BHT (about 500 mL/2 L). The solid was then filtered through cheesecloth and dried in vacuum.

GPC analysis of the intermediate product, based on a polystyrene/THF standard, indicated block copolymer having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 58K and a polydispersity (MW/Mn) of 1.03. The TEM analysis was taken on a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄ and was then examined by TEM (see FIG. 3). The results showed that the product synthesized contained spherical particles with flower-like inner structures.

In Examples 4-7, a 2-gallon reactor equipped with external jacked heating and internal agitation was used for all material preparation. Styrene in hexane (33 weight percent styrene), hexane, butyllithium (BuLi, 1.6 M) and BHT were used as supplied. Isoprene (100% pure) was stored on aluminum oxide beads and calcium hydride under nitrogen. Technical grade divinylbenzene (80%, mixture of isomers, purchased from Aldrich, item 41, 456-5) was stored on aluminum oxide beads and calcium hydride under nitrogen. The di-lithium solution (˜0.5M) was made according to the method described above.

Example 4

The reactor was charged with 4 lbs. hexane and 0.231 lbs. isoprene. The jacket of the reactor was heated to 135° F. When the batch reached 135° F., 7.5 ml of 0.5 M di-lithium solution and 2.4 ml of 1.6 M BuLi were added. After 2 hours, 1.5 lbs. styrene/hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene) was added to the reactor that was maintained at 135° F. An exothermic peak was observed after 20 minutes. After 1.5 hours, 50 ml divinyl benzene (DVB) was charged into the solution. The solution was allowed to react for an additional 1.5 hours, and then the reaction mixture was dropped in an isopropanol/acetone solution containing BHT (about 500 mL/2 L). The solid was then filtered through a cheese cloth and dried in vacuum.

A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄ and was then examined by TEM. As shown in FIG. 5, the product synthesized contained spheres, chains, dumbbells and other highly organized structures.

Example 5

In Example 5, the size of the isoprene block of the tri-block polymers was increased over that of Example 4. The reactor was initially charged with 4 lbs. hexane and 0.31 lbs. isoprene. The synthesis process and the charge of other components was the same as that described in Example 4.

A TEM analysis was performed on a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄ and was then examined by TEM. As shown in FIG. 6, the product synthesized contained short nano-ropes.

Example 6

In Example 6, the size of the isoprene block of the tri-block polymer was reduced, resulting in the formation of nano branches. The reactor was charged with 4 lbs. hexane and 0.185 lbs. isoprene. The jacket of the reactor was heated to 135° F. When the batch reached 135° F., 7.5 ml of 0.5 M dilithium solution and 2.4 ml of 1.6 M BuLi were added. After 2 hours, 1.5 lbs. styrene/Hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene) was added to the reactor that was maintained at 135° F. An exothermic peak was observed after 20 minutes. After 1.5 hours, the color of solution was orange. 50 ml divinyl-benzene (DVB) was then charged into the solution. The solution was allowed to react for an additional 1.5 hours; and the reaction mixture was then dropped in an isopropanol/acetone solution containing BHT (about 500 mL/2 L). The solid was then filtered through a cheese cloth and dried in vacuum.

A TEM analysis was conducted on a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄ and was then examined by TEM. As shown in FIG. 7, the product contained short nano-sized branches. One of the branches looked somewhat rigid (see FIG. 8) and appeared to stretch out in three dimensions.

Example 7

By adjusting types and amounts of materials added to the reactor, a product with an architecture of narrowly distributed nano-branches was formed. The reactor was charged with 4 lbs. hexane and 1.15 lbs. Butadiene/Hexane solution (21.4% Butadiene). The jacket of the reactor was heated to 135° F. When the batch reached 135° F., 10 ml of 0.5 M dilithium solution and 1 ml of 1.6 M BuLi were added. After 2 hours, 1.5 lbs. styrene/Hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene) were added to the reactor that was maintained at 135° F. An exothermic peak was observed after 20 minutes. After 1.5 hours, 50 ml divinyl-benzene (DVB) was then charged into the solution. The solution was allowed to react for an additional 1.5 hours; and the reaction mixture was then dropped in an isopropanol/acetone solution containing BHT (about 500 mL/2 L). The solid was then filtered through a cheese cloth and dried in vacuum.

A TEM analysis was conducted on a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with RuO₄ and was then examined by TEM. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the product contained narrowly distributed nano-sized branches.

Examples 8, 9 and 10 Application of the Nano-Branches in a Rubber Formulation

Three rubber compositions were prepared according to the formulation shown in Tables 1 and 2 by selectively using the nanoparticles of Examples 6 and 7 to replace 10 phr of SBR in the compound formulation (i.e., Examples 9 and 10).

In each sample, the ingredients were mixed according to the method of Table 3. The final stocks were sheeted and cured at 165° C. for 15 minutes.

TABLE 1 Composition for Master Batch (in phr) Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 SBR 100.00 90.00 90.00 Example 6 (nanoparticle) 0 10.00 0 Example 7 (nanoparticle) 0 0 10.00 Carbon Black (N343) 50.00 50.00 50.00 Aromatic Oil 15.00 15.00 15.00 Zinc Oxide 3.00 3.00 3.00 Hydrocarbon Resin (tackifiers) 2.00 3.00 3.00 Antioxidant 0.95 0.95 0.95 Stearic Acid 2.00 2.00 2.00 Wax 1.00 1.00 1.00

TABLE 2 Composition for Final Batch (in phr) Sulphur ~1.30 ~1.30 ~1.30 Cyclohexyl-benzothiazole 1.40 1.40 1.40 Sulfonamide (accelerator) Diphenylguanidine (accelerator) 0.20 0.20 0.20

TABLE 3 Mixing Conditions. Mixer: 300 g Brabender Agitation Speed: 60 rpm Mater Batch Stage Initial Temperature 110° C.   0 min charging polymers 0.5 min charging oil and Carbon Black 5.0 min drop Final Batch Stage Initial Temperature 75° C.  0 sec charging master stock 30 sec charging curing agent and accelerators 75 sec drop

The analysis of the vulcanized rubber compounds of Examples 8-10, included tensile strength, tear strength, hysteresis loss gave the results, as shown in Table 4. Measurement of tensile strength was based on conditions of ASTM-D 412 at 22° C. Test specimen geometry was taken the form of a ring of a width of 0.05 inches and of a thickness of 0.075 inches. The specimen was tested at a specific gauge length of 1.0 inch. The measurement of tear strength was based on conditions of ASTM-D 624 at 170° C. Test specimen geometry was taken the form of a nicked ring (ASTM-624-C). The specimen was tested at the specific gauge length of 1.750 inches. The hysteresis loss was measured with a Dynastat Viscoelastic Analyzer. Test specimen geometry was taken the form of a cylinder of a length of 15 mm and of a diameter of 10 mm. The following testing conditions were employed: frequency 1 Hz, 2 kg static load and 1.25 kg dynamic load.

TABLE 4 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10 130° C. ML4 36.38 39 41.8 MDR 2000 165° C. MH 13.17 13.22 13.61 T90 5.6 5.94 5.76 Shore A 22c (3 sec) 55.4 64.3 62.2 100° C. (3 sec) 53.5 57.4 56.4 Ring Tensile at 23° C. Tb(MPa) 16.73 16.44 18.85 Eb (%) 548.4 502.9 523.2 M300 7.07 8.6 9.25 M50 0.93 1.25 1.25 Ring Tensile at 100° C. Tb(MPa) 8.36 8.5 8.54 Eb (%) 377.8 366.6 352 M300 5.94 6.42 6.81 M50 0.69 0.8 0.78 Tear Strength (kN/m) 16.7 17.1 18.0 Ring Tear travel (%) 170° C. 410 410 395 Tg of Compound (from tan delta) −42 −42 −42 Stanley London (concrete) 56.2 57 52.6 Dynstat tan delta at 50° C. 0.1906 0.2351 0.2195 K′(lbf/in) 141.14 241.16 203.38 Tan delta 25° C. 0.2311 0.2600 0.2539 K′(lbf/in) 178.13 385.19 277.32 Tan delta 0° C. 0.2571 0.2528 0.2567 K′(lbf/in) 259.02 639.71 494.91 Tan delta −20° C. 0.2967 0.2838 0.3269 K′(lbf/in) 374.23 890.85 689.54

Examples 11-13 Disk-Like Nanoparticles Dilithium Initiator Preparation

Two methods were used to synthesize the dilithium initiator. In method 1, 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine, from Aldrich, was first metalated with a mole equivalent amount of n-butyl lithium. The resultant material was then used to initiate the polymerization of dienes.

In method 2, 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine, from Aldrich, was first charged into a diene monomer solution. This solution was then charged with a mole equivalent amount of n-butyl lithium.

Method 2 was relatively better in industrial production in terms of feasibility and reliability. Although the resultant material easily phases out from hydrocarbon solution, after initializing the butadiene polymerization, it stays in solution.

Synthesis of Disk-Like Nanoparticles Example 11

To a two-gallon, N₂-purged reactor equipped with a stirrer was added 4.99 lb hexane, and 0.92 lb butadiene/hexane blend (containing 21.7 wt % of butadiene). The reactor was then set to 135° F. After the temperature was stabilized, 4 ml (1 M) of 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine in toluene and 5.4 ml (1.6 M) of butyllithium in hexane were charged to the reactor. After three hours, 2.7 ml of OOPs (1.6 M) in hexane was charged to the reactor. Following that immediately, the reactor was charged with 2.42 lb styrene/Hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene). The reaction was continued for another 3 hrs. Then the reactor was charged with 50 ml of divinyl benzene. After 2.5 more hours, the reaction was stopped by dropping the product into isopropenol and then treated with ˜1% Irganox 1520L antioxidant (AO) (4,6-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol). The product composed 20 wt % butadiene and 80 wt % styrene.

A TEM analysis was done on a hexane solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. A drop of the diluted solution was coated on a carbon coated copper micro-grid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with OsO₄ and was then examined by TEM. The result is shown in FIG. 13.

The same TEM analysis was also done on a toluene solution of the final product at 10⁻⁵ wt % concentration. The result is shown in FIG. 14.

Both TEM results showed that the synthesized product contains disk-like nanoparticles. The disks display uniform gray color, which indicates that within the disk the thickness is mostly constant. Overlapping between two disks is shown as an oval-shaped dark color. This is illustrated in FIG. 18 showing a collection of nanoparticles and an illustration how they are overlapping. The thickness of the disk can also be measured in the TEM using shadow-casting technique. The disks have a thickness around 5 to 10 nm.

Example 12

The same procedure as that shown in Example 11 was used, except for the amounts of materials used. In this example, the reactor was first charged with 5.15 lb of hexane, and 0.46 lb of butadiene/hexane blend (containing 21.7 wt % of butadiene). The reactor was then set to 135° F. After the temperature was stabilized, 4 ml (1 M) of 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine in toluene and 5.4 ml (1.6 M) of butyllithium in hexane were charged to the reactor. After three hours, 2.7 ml of OOPs (1.6M) in hexane was charged to the reactor. Then, the reactor was charged with 2.73 lb of styrene/hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene). The reaction continued for another 3 hrs. Subsequently, the reactor was charged with 50 ml of divinyl benzene. After 2.5 more hours, the reaction was stopped by dropping the product into isopropenol and then treated with AO (˜1% Irganox-1520L). The product was 10 wt % butadiene and 90 wt % styrene.

A drop of the diluted hexane solution, ˜1×10⁻⁵ wt %, was coated on a carbon coated copper microgrid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with 0s0₄ and was then examined by TEM. The result is shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.

Example 13

Once again, the same procedure as that shown in Example 11 was used, except for the amounts of materials used. In this example, the reactor was first charged with 4.83 lb of hexane, and 1.38 lb of butadiene/Hexane blend (containing 21.7 wt % of butadiene). The reactor was then set to 135° F. After the temperature was stabilized, 4 ml (1 M) of 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine in toluene and 5.4 ml (1.6 M) of butyllithium in hexane were charged to the reactor. After three hours, 2.7 ml of OOPs (1.6 M) in hexane was charged to the reactor. Then, the reactor was charged with 2.12 lb styrene/hexane blend (containing 33 wt % styrene). The reaction was continued for another 3 hrs. Then the reactor was charged with 50 ml of divinyl benzene. After 2.5 more hours, the reaction was stopped by dropping the product into isopropenol and then treated with AO (˜1% Irganox-1520L). The product was 30 wt % butadiene and 70 wt % styrene.

A drop of the diluted hexane solution, ˜1×10⁻⁵ wt %, was coated on a carbon coated copper microgrid. After the solvent was vaporized, the grid was stained with OsO₄ and was then examined by TEM. The result is shown in FIG. 17. The particles were not well-organized in term of shapes.

This written description sets forth the best mode of the invention, and describes the invention so as to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, by presenting examples. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. 

1. A disk-like nanoparticle comprising: a core layer comprising a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon; a shell layer comprising tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block; the first and third blocks comprising a vinyl aromatic monomer and being crosslinked with the core; the second block comprising a conjugated diene monomer and comprising top and bottom axial surfaces of the disk-like nanoparticle; the weight ratio of the monomers comprising the first block and third block to the monomers comprising the second block is 100:1 to 1:1; the nanoparticle having a disk-like shape.
 2. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the disk-like nanoparticle further comprises a residue of a multi-functional lithiated amine-containing initiator, wherein the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

wherein Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.
 3. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 2, wherein Q is O, S or methylene groups.
 4. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 2, wherein the initiator is dilithio N,N′-diethyl-1,3-propanediamine (Li-DEPDA-Li), dilithio N,N′diisopropyl-1,3-propanediamine (Li-DPPDA-Li), dilithio N,N′-diethyl-2-butene-1,4-diamine (Li-DEBDA-Li), trilithio tris[2-(methylamino)ethyl]amine (Tri-Li-TMAEA), trilithio tris[2-(isopropylamino)ethyl]amine (Tri-Li-TPAEA), and trilithio-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane (Tri-Li-TAC D).
 5. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 2, wherein the initiator is Li-4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine-Li.
 6. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the tri-block copolymer chains are loop-like arms radiating out from the core layer, wherein the first block begins a first end of the loop and the third block begins an other end of the loop.
 7. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the tri-block copolymer chains comprise an A-B-A copolymer.
 8. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 7, wherein the tri-block copolymer chains comprise a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-conjugated diene-vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon copolymer.
 9. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein a radial diameter of the nanoparticle is from 1 nm to 100 micrometers, and a thickness is 1 nm to 100 nm.
 10. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the second block is soluble in an associated solvent.
 11. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the shell layer further comprises a diblock and/or monoblock polymer chain.
 12. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the monomers comprising the first block and third block to the monomers comprising the second block is 50:1 to 1:1.
 13. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the core layer has a Tg of greater than 50° C., and the shell layer has a Tg of less than 100° C., provided that the Tg of the shell layer is lower than the Tg of the core layer.
 14. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 13, wherein the core has a Tg of greater than 100° C. and the shell has a Tg of less than 80° C.
 15. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the Mw of the first block is 1 k to 1000 k the Mw of the second block is 1 k to 1000 k, and the Mw of the third block is 1 k to 1000 k.
 16. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the tri-block copolymer chains substantially do not form bridges.
 17. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the second block in the shell layer is substantially not crosslinked.
 18. The disk-like nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of the monomers comprising the first block and third block to the monomers comprising the second block is 9:1 to 2.3:1.
 19. A rubber composition comprising: a disk-like nanoparticle comprising a core layer comprising a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon; a shell layer comprising tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block; the first and third blocks comprising vinyl aromatic monomers and being crosslinked with the core; the second block comprising conjugated diene monomers and comprising top and bottom axial surfaces of the disk-like nanoparticle; wherein the weight ratio of the monomer units comprising the first block and third block to the monomer units comprising the second block is 100:1 to 1:1; and a rubber matrix.
 20. A tire comprising the rubber composition of claim
 19. 21. A method for making a disk-like nanoparticle in a liquid hydrocarbon medium, the nanoparticle having a core layer and a shell layer, the shell layer comprising tri-block copolymer chains having a first block, a second block, and a third block, the method comprising the steps of: polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer with a multi-functional lithiated amine-containing initiator, wherein the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

wherein Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; copolymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer to form the first and third blocks, thereby producing the tri-block copolymer chains; assembling the tri-block copolymer chains in the liquid hydrocarbon medium to form micelle structures; and crosslinking a multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with the tri-block copolymer chains in the micelle structures to form a cross-linked core and to form polymer nanoparticles.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the initiator is dilithio N,N′-diethyl-1,3-propanediamine (Li-DEPDA-Li), dilithio N,N′-diisopropyl-1,3-propanediamine (Li-DPPDA-Li), dilithio N,N′-diethyl-2-butene-1,4-diamine (Li-DEBDA-Li), trilithio tris[2-(methylamino)ethyl]amine (Tri-Li-TMAEA), trilithio tris[2-(isopropylamino)ethyl]amine (Tri-Li-TPAEA), and trilithio-1,5,9-triazacyclododecane (Tri-Li-TACD).
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the weight ratio of the monomer units comprising the first block and third block to the monomer units comprising the second block is 50:1 to 1:1.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the initiator is Li-4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine-Li.
 25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of adding a monoblock polymer and/or copolymerizing a diblock copolymer, and cross-linking the monoblock polymer and/or diblock copolymer with the core.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the tri-block copolymer chains are A-B-C copolymer chains.
 27. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of adding a monoblock polymer and/or adding or synthesizing a diblock copolymer prior to the crosslinking step.
 28. A disk-like nanoparticle in a liquid hydrocarbon medium, the nanoparticle having a core layer and a shell layer, the shell layer comprising tri-block copolymer chains having a first block, a second block, and a third block, the nanoparticle produced from a method comprising the steps of: a) polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer with a multi-functional lithiated amine containing initiator, wherein the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

wherein Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; b) copolymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer to form the first and third blocks, thereby producing the tri-block copolymer chains; c) assembling the tri-block copolymer chains in the liquid hydrocarbon medium to form micelle structures; and d) crosslinking a multiple-vinyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with the tri-block copolymer chains in the micelle structures to form a cross-linked core and to form polymer nanoparticles.
 29. A disk-like nanoparticle comprising: a core layer comprising a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon; a shell layer comprising A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block; the first block of the A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains comprising a vinyl aromatic monomer and being crosslinked with the core; the second block comprising a conjugated diene monomer; the third block comprising top and bottom axial surfaces of the disk-like nanoparticle; wherein the nanoparticle further comprises a residue of a multi-functional lithiated amine-containing initiator, wherein the initiator is a hydrocarbon solvent soluble, anionic polymerization multi-lithio amine initiators that comprises at least two or more lithio amines in one molecule and has the general formula:

wherein Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, and R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. 